Obama urges calm in wake of Zimmerman verdict

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday called for calm after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, saying his death was a tragedy and that the nation should seek ways to stem gun violence.

"We are a nation of laws and a jury has spoken," he said in a statement. "I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son." (Reporting By Mark Felsenthal; Editing by Doina Chiacu)